Kinda over kill. But it was $40 more than a 12 ton at Harbor freight. It was on sale. I don`t have good luck with HF, but I won`t use it much. I had to install some grommets in a curtain for a lady. A BF hammer wasn`t doing the job. I tried using my vise, but thought it would take too long. Wasn`t getting a good press on it.
I had to modify the crank handle to fit the pressure valve. I also added anti skip to the cross brace so the plate wouldn`t slide off.
I've got the exact same HF press. It has been a great purchase and worked just fine for about five years. My cylinder does leak a little lately, but usually just a few drips on the end of the ram each time I use it. Be careful with those curtains in case it starts leaking. I added a big cross knob to the tight/loose valve on the cylinder.
I didn`t think I`d use it for a while then---- I had to make some foam spaces. Factory for a 49-54 Chevy pick up. I also added some dense foam to the cross brace so it wouldn`t rock back and forth so much on the pins.
I have the 8-tonne version of the press. Looks to be same manufacturer, but sold locally by Supercheap Auto. It's done a lot of work over a decade pressing bearings and shafts, and never missed a beat. Hint: your sockets, in various sizes, make ideal bushes for driving bearings in/out. A 9" 1/2"-drive extension on the socket will let you drive stuff down deep casings. Your Craftsman warranty may not agree with this use though Cheers, Harv
Every growing boy needs a press, the bigger the better. I have an old 50 ton Black Hawk, big leaky thing that still flexes a bit on stubborn Ford perch pins and king pins. Always try your best to keep things perfectly square when in a hard press, things fly out "with vigor"
We've had one at work for 5 or 6 yrs. Started to buy one for my home shop but figured what the hell might as well use the one at work. But if I ever find one cheap used or hf has a big sale with them I just might have to add one at home. I want to try the hf big belt and disc sander too. I hear it's a hit or miss with them. .
I have the HF belt and disc sander I'm my garage. I've used it off and on for 10 years now. Still works well and I prefer it to my bench grinder for light duty work.
A hydraulic press is one of those things that you don't know you needed until you have one and actually use it a lot. I've got the framework of one that I bought a few years ago and haven't done anything with. Home made out of what looks to be military truck frame rails but might be surplus military channel.
Do yourself a favor and get the harbor freight 20 air/ hydralic jack and use this in place of the manual jack10 times quicker. https://www.harborfreight.com/20-ton-air-over-hydraulic-jack-95553.html?_br_psugg_q=20+ton+air+jack https://www.bing.com/videos/search?...31BE999E216443A912B931BE999E216443A&FORM=VIRE
I picked up a 30 ton air/hydraulic press this past summer from Princess Auto . Got 80% off and one of their “scratch and dent” sale because there was a crack in 5e packing crate and it didn’t have a pressure gauge. I called PA to ask if they sold the gauge separately and explained what happened. A week later they send the gauge with no questions! I haven’t used it yet but I think I’ll be reversing the eyes on my ‘32 myself. I will be using a wire guard just in case of anything trying to escape! My son want to bend up some custom stir stringers with it.
When you go to the flea market and see those dirty/rusty sockets for cheap. Buy them for drivers. Even the import tools will do that job.
The press was 200 dollars. The dies were 145dollars and I charged her 275 dollars for 4 ten-foot curtains for her outside patio. She supplied the material. A money-making job. You gotta keep her happy. Her husband is the president of the local bank.
I bought the "earlier orange version" around ten years ago to straighten the rear bumper on my RV. Twice It's great for pressing axle bearings on and off, pressing out bushings, not sure what I would have done without it!!
Here’s my 20 ton press….never has leaked in its life. This is my smaller press, I have a very large press, but have not got it to work yet. Probably never will, now! Lol This 20 ton one gets most jobs done! Bones
The biggest issue I had was the H beam on the sides is to small witch makes the rails to close together to press off axle bearings. also those plates are cast. When they break the haves can go clear accros to shop.
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